Out of the crooked timber of humanity no straight thing was ever made.

All the ills of democracy can be cured by more democracy.

A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul.

The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure it is right.

The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects.

Television has made dictatorship impossible, but democracy unbearable.

Do that which consists in taking no action, and order will prevail.

I shall be an autocrat: that’s my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that’s his.

Why has the government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without constraint.

The vice presidency isn’t worth a pitcher of warm piss.

O citizens, first acquire wealth; you can practice virtue afterward.

A real leader is somebody who can help us overcome the limitations of our own individual laziness and selfishness and weakness and fear and get us to do better, harder things than we can get ourselves to do on our own.

I am no courtesan, nor moderator, nor tribune, nor defender of the people: I am myself the people.